Also:

Ideally, dogs would stick to eating whatever kibble or moist food we buy them, and perhaps the occasional patch of grass when they’re feeling a bit ill. The world isn’t ideal, though. A lot of dogs seem to feel like the entire world is made of doggie treats — or that they at least have to experiment to find out which parts are not doggie treats.

Those kinds of experiments are the reason that the “They Ate What?!” X-ray contest exists. Sponsored by our sister publication Veterinary Practice News, the contest has been an annual event for the last 10 years. Clinics send in their most unusual X-rays, and a panel of judges chooses the winners. First prize is $1,500, second place gets $1,000, and third place is $500.

This year’s winner was Zeus, a Doberman Pinscher who swallowed not one, not eight, but 26 golf balls. According to the Lisbon Veterinary Clinic, Zeus was brought in after he had been vomiting for a couple of days. They tried treating him with medicines, but after the vomiting continued, they did an X-ray and found the golf balls filling his intestines.

X-ray of Zeus’ stomach. (Image courtesy Veterinary Practice News)

The balls taken out of Zeus’s stomach. (Photo courtesy Veterinary Practice News)

In addition to the judged contest, VPN is letting readers have their say in the “They Ate What?!” People’s Choice X-Ray Contest. Seven dog X-rays (plus one cat and one anglefish) have been put up along with their stories for you to vote on a favorite. Which one will you pick? The Chihuahua who swallowed a bottle of glitter perfume? The Border Collie who swallowed three plastic frogs and two rubber ducks? (No matter your vote, you’ll be entered to win a $500 Visa gift card!)

The canine digestive system is an incredible thing, and VPN has the pictures to prove it.